Main content

Denmark's "burp tax"

In 2030, the country will introduce a world first: farmers will pay tax on their livestock's greenhouse gas emissions as part of an ambitious plan to make agriculture greener.

Farmers in Denmark are getting ready for an ambitious new scheme that will transform the country's landscape from 2030.

As well as giving land back to nature, the Green Tripartite Agreement will see farmers taxed on the greenhouse gas emissions coming from livestock - the first country in the world to do so.

Animals like cattle, sheep and pigs release the greenhouse gas methane as part of their digestive processes. Will the tax push up the price of food as some fear, and put farmers out of business? Or is it a model that other countries can and should follow?

Plus - we meet Hilda, the Scottish calf bred to emit lower levels of methane.

if you'd like to get in touch with the programme, you can email us at businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Lexy O'Connor

(Picture: Calves - including Hilda - in a shed.)

Available now

19 minutes

Last on

Wed 20 Aug 2025 07:32GMT

Featured

  • .

Broadcast

  • Wed 20 Aug 2025 07:32GMT

Podcast